Otoplasty or ear reshaping cosmetic surgery should only be performed on the right candidates who can significantly improve their facial appearance with this procedure. A responsible surgeon will carefully evaluate candidacy before recommending otoplasty to a patient.

Dr. Eric Yavrouian is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon providing otoplasty to patients in Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills CA, and surrounding communities.

Characteristics of an Ideal Candidate

It is difficult to hide ears with clothing or other options. Therefore, people with ears that protrude more than they should, or are asymmetrical, disproportionate, flapping, or drooping too low, may feel embarrassed in a public setting. Therefore, otoplasty is a common cosmetic surgery procedure for such people.  

Whether it is a child who is constantly teased at school, or an adult who is uncomfortable and low on confidence due to the awkward shape of ears, or someone who has suffered trauma to the ears, may be a fabulous candidate who can use otoplasty to address their problem.

Some children are born with significant ear defects, and may make strong candidates for reconstructive otoplasty. Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Yavrouian receives patients from Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills CA, and nearby areas for otoplasty.

Candidates for Traditional or Reconstructive Otoplasty

Ear pinning surgery, also known as traditional otoplasty, is suitable for candidates who have large or extruding ears. These ears can be ‘pinned’ back towards the patient’s head. This helps to create a more regular look that a person will feel is more normal and attractive.

For candidates with severe ear defects that may occur due to some kind of external trauma or are present by birth, reconstructive otoplasty may be more appropriate.

Child Candidates

Congenital ear defects in children may make them suitable candidates for otoplasty. A child candidate may usually require otoplasty around the age of six, when the ears have sufficiently developed to a size quite close to that of an adult. In any case, otoplasty for child candidates may be commonly performed between the ages of four and fourteen.

Children below the age of four may not be suitable candidates for otoplasty because the ears are still attaining growth. But conditions identified early can be manipulated more easily with younger ear tissue. If the child has a significant defect in ear shape or size, it is a sagacious idea to visit a surgeon to determine their viable candidacy.

Common Congenital Defects

Otoplasty candidates may suffer from one of the following common congenital defects:

• Cagot Ear – No earlobe is present
• Cat’s Ear – The edges of the ear are folded forward
• Lop ear – The ear sharply curves inward
• Scroll ear – The ear is curled forward
• Wildermuth’s Ear – The top curve of the ear is reversed
• Stahl’s Ear Deformity – Abnormal folding of the ear
• Cleft earlobe – An indentation occurring in the earlobe

Skin cancer and malignant melanoma patients may also sometimes require otoplasty to remove the cancer and then to reconstruct the leftover tissue.

For more information about treatments and procedures by Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Eric J. Yavrouian, serving patients in and around Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank and the Greater Los Angeles, CA area call 818-241-2150 or click here to contact him for a consultation.

Otoplasty or ear reshaping is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to correct the size and appearance of ears. During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will explain all aspects of otoplasty, and may also present otoplasty before and after photographs before the patient.

The first concern of a responsible surgeon will be to educate the patient about otoplasty and help them make an informed decision. Dedicated facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Eric Yavrouian provides otoplasty to patients in Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills CA, and surrounding communities.

What are Otoplasty Before and After Images?

Before and after images in case of otoplasty cosmetic surgery refer to pictures belonging to an earlier patient who has undergone the same procedure with satisfactory results. The pictures include images taken prior to the procedure and after the procedure at a stage when the post-surgical bruising and swelling has been resolved and full effects of otoplasty are visible.

The surgeon will take care to ensure that the photographs are obtained with the proper consent of the patient, and shown to new patients in a discreet way. The patient’s identity may be kept confidential as needed. The sole purpose of the surgeon behind this exercise is to use these photos as a visual aid to describe the potential effectiveness of otoplasty to new patients.

This will be mentioned down below again but the real turning point here is digital technology. Digital technology has revolutionized so many industries and the plastic surgery one is certainly one of them. Now patients can see with accurate detail what to expect in otoplasty or any other type of plastic surgery. Not only can patients see how this surgery will most likely turn out for them, they can make these comparisons and contemplate this during their own time from the confines of their tranquil home.

Benefits

Ears are a key component of the facial appearance, and any cosmetic procedure to reshape the ears will naturally cause some anxiety for a patient. The patient would like to know how their ears and overall facial appearance may be impacted with otoplasty, and whether the procedure will meet their personal aesthetic goals.

Some patients may require only minor ear pinning, while some others may need substantial correction of shape and size, including addressing congenital defects. In each situation, the patient will be better placed to make the right choices when they have access to otoplasty before and after photos.

Keeping Realistic Expectations

Experienced surgeons believe that best patient satisfaction levels in any cosmetic procedure can be achieved when the patient has a positive frame of mind, clear aesthetic priorities and realistic expectations. Therefore, they will prefer to present otoplasty before and after photos at the very outset.

Once the patient knows what otoplasty can or cannot do for them, they can make a better decision. Such patients will be able to appreciate the final results in a better way, and feel more satisfied. Dedicated facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Yavrouian receives patients from Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills CA, and nearby areas for otoplasty.

Website Pictures

If the plastic surgeon has their own practice website, they have an opportunity to provide otoplasty before and after photos on the site under a separate section called “Image Gallery.” New patients can conveniently access the photos online, and then choose whether to make an otoplasty appointment with the surgeon. Photos can also be disseminated for wider exposure via social media photo sharing websites such as Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Instagram.

What is really special about these digital pictures is that patients can undermine that old feeling of anxiety that patients used to get before the widespread use of digital photos. Now patients can be calmer and more relaxed since they know how this surgery will turn out. Yes they have spoken with the surgeon but they did not have to rely so much on the spoken word from the surgeon since they were able to see with precise detail what to expect from signing up for this surgery. This is better for everyone involved.

For more information about treatments and procedures by Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Eric J. Yavrouian, serving patients in and around Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank and the Greater Los Angeles, CA area call 818-241-2150 or click here to contact him for a consultation.